Research shows small congregations are key to Episcopal Church's growth

AP, May 8, 2003

Worship attendance in the Episcopal Church increased by
nearly 17,000 from 1995 to 2000 and small congregations account for much of
this, said a new study by the denomination's research director, C. Kirk
Hadaway.

More Episcopal congregations are losing attendance than
gaining, but increases in "a vital minority" resulted in overall
growth, Hadaway said. That gain contrasts with decreases in participation and
membership in most "mainline" or liberal Protestant denominations.

Hadaway said the largest congregations aided Episcopal gains
but not as much as those with average Sunday attendance of 100 or fewer.
"Smaller congregations are the major source of growth," he said. On
the other hand, smaller parishes are also more likely to decline or disband.

The typical Episcopal congregation has an average Sunday
attendance of 80. Among the 7,364 Episcopal congregations, 33 reported
attendance of more than 800.

Hadaway said "misinformation" had denigrated
smaller congregations and over-emphasized the contribution of larger ones.